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Originally Posted by wilstriker
I know this is a late reply to a MUCH earlier post, but I thought I'd add some insight to this question about whether it is legal to have copies of programming that was broadcast over the airwaves.
In actuality it is entirely legal to record such programming, the reason is simple. The FCC declared back in the 1950s when television first started that the airwaves were public domain, and in doing so absolved the networks of having to pay any fees for use of those airwaves. But in return, anything that is transmitted over the public airwaves is deemed free and public domain. I happen to work for a TV station and have verified this to be true. Therefore any television, radio, or cable broadcasts that are carried across the airwaves are free for private use, provided that you do not intend to redistribute such programming for monetary gain. TV stations have to pay a licensing fee to air programs that do not originate from their stations, but they do so because they are in turn making money through program adverstisements from local businesses.
In short, if you can grab it from the public airwaves, its yours.  |
interesting point but bittorrent isn't the public airwaves.. also as you download it you are also seeding it to other torrent users and most people leave torretns running until they have uploaded the same amountthey have downloaded so it is being distributed and not just grapped from the public domain